The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-05-27
WASHINGTON NEWS.

the Unlted States steamer HmU0rd, now 81
Mare Island, Cal
1t Is rmnored that Bank EES4iner Hyatt
of Cincinnati, will succeed lie Jordan a.
United States treasurer.
Secretary Fairchlld has issues instructions
DOR the rigid enforcement of the law which
f0rbds the Strengthening OF ang t,ur-bearing
animal within the limits OF Alaska or the
waters thereof, except as specifically AUTHOR
ised.
The treasury department SO amended Its
orders to revenue cutters on the Pacific coast
that hereafter American vessels clearingf0r
sealing voyage can enter and remain In
Behring sea and pursue any lawful business
therein.
President Cleveland appointed Martin u.
Russell of Illinois and j. p. Theme OF
Maryland to be members OF the board OF
visitors of the Military Academy at West
Point. In place of Gen Palmer aAd Mr..
Gwinn OF Maryland, declined.
Commissioner Sparks has gone to Illinois
to take Mrs. Sparks home for the summer.
A story was current here that one 0this last
acts before taking his trip was to discharge
batch of clerks, some IL not all of whom
We're recently appointed, but there was no
truth In it.
Petitions have been received by the later
State Commerce Commission for the s0s-
pension of Sec. A from the New York CeR-
trail, the Lake Shore 81 Michigan Southern,
and the Pittsburg 81 Lake Erie Railway
Companies. Thus far forty-four companies
have asked for the suspension OF the clause.
The increase in the dutiable merchandise
imported during nine months of the current
fiscal year was s per cent while the amount
of duties collected was increased by more
than Is per cent. The increase in cOllec-
tions was $40, 209 $50. These figures indi-
cate very gratifying improvement in the
efficacy OF the customs service.
The president is daily in receipt of invita-
IN n of dttt.it,r
the summer months at various places. He
fully appreciates the kindly feelings that
prompt these invitations, but cannot accept
any Of them. At least he cannot indi-
cate at this time what he will do during the
summer months In regard to taking a vaca-
ton.
Acting Comm ssioner Stockslager, of the
general land Office, has recommended to the
secretary OF the interior that the attorney
general be requested to file motion i'm the
well land-grant case, in which the decree of
the Colorado district court was affirmed. 1t is
claimed that new evidence has been dis
covered showing the fraudulent character
OF the grant.
Inquiry at the war department shows that
the questions reported to have been put up
by tue department to the Pennsylvania state
officials regarding the strength, equipment,
and mobility of the militia had no reference
whatever to the fisheries controversy, but
were intended to secure the information
transmitted to congress at every session
touching the strength of the militia.
Similar inquiries have been put to all state
governments.
Reports received at the treasury depart
nlent shows that G, 500, 426 trade dollars have
been redeemed to date. The principle re-
demption was in Philadelphia. The law
authorizing the redemption of trade dollars
has already been in operation over two
months, and has nearly four months to run.
1t was originally estimated that there were
about seven millions OF these coins in this
country, and the redemptions show that the
estimate is nearly correct. lmportations
from China and Japan may swell the
amount to $S,000,000.
Tales of the havoc wrought by the inter-
state commerce law in unexpected quarters
continue to pour in. The United States
commercial agent at London. Ontario, re-
ports that the law has already had q dis
astrous effect upon trade relations between
this country and Canada, declares that I'M
less relief is speedily obtained American
commerce will receive damage that it will
TAKE reed 70 1epaT This s MS as are
any possible pretext for proclaiming non
Intercourse with Canada, In accordance with
the retaliation act passed by the last con-
gress.
PACKAGES FOR CHINA.
The new arrangements made by the post
Shanghai are of considerable Importance to
people who have any business relations
with China. There has been no system
hitherto for sending samples or packages of
merchandise. Under the new regulations
samples of merchandise weighing not over
eight ounces may be sent at the rate of cent
for two ounces, and merchandise other than
printed matter, which is otherwise provided
for, and samples may be sent in packages
weighing not more than four pounds at l
1Av.fa NhA Ix,
wrapped that the postal officials may easily
ascertain the character of the contents.
THE CROPS.
The report of the department of agrcul-
ture for May shows the general average con-
dition of winter wheat to be &C. against % at
the corresponding date OF 1885, Spring
planting is unusually well advanced In most.
sections. The proportion of cotton already
planted embraces more than four-ffths OF
the proposed area.
Tie season has been more generally adj
vanced in all parts of the country than usual,
spring blowing being seriously behind only
on the Atlantic coast south to Pennsylvania
and on the Pacific slope. In these sections
it has been delayed by cold and excess of
moisture. Elsewhere the work is ahead of
an average year, the season, especially dur
ing April having been generally favorable,
with the temperature above the normal and
the rainfall at minimum. The HOp0rtiOn
ulIcduy uOut OH MAY Il, Is tStlilldJcu tJ oO pei
cent OF the whole while the amount usually
completed at that date Is about &c per cent
lf THE NEW MONITORS.
The work under contracts on the monitors
Terror and Amphitrite Is practically finished,
and the navy department is considering the
nature of the test that must be successfully
undergone before the vessels are accepted
by the government Tie contracts provide
for sea trial for the monitors, but this re-
quirement will doubtless be waived, as 1t
was I'm the case Of the monitor Puritan, built
by John Roach. Although the work con-
tracted for has been executed, the vessels
are not in seaworthy condition. The
decks are not laid; there Is no steering gear,
and the sides just above the water line are
filled with bolt-holes left to secure the armor
belts, which will not be ready for long
time. BY the use of temporary devices
these difficulties might be overcome and the
vessels made ready for sea, but 1t would re-
quire at least two months work and large
outlay of money to do this. Therefore 1t
has been virtually decided to confine the
tests to dock trials of the engines. and IL
these result satisfactorily the monitors Will
be accepted.
COINAGE DESIGNS.
The secretary of the treasury recently sub
mitted to the attorney general for an opinion